Ok, so here's some backstory. I adore this series. Favorite ever, reread a bizillion times, re-listen on audio, feel like the characters are real, adore. The series wrapped up perfectly with book four and then there was a break between book four and book five and I was so worried that the series was going to get stretched beyond its natural ending and things would go downhill.

So. I saved this book for winter break so I could get the full distraction-free experience. And it was both more and less than I was expecting it to be.

Let's get the bad out of the way first? So, yes, the series maybe should have ended with book four. This did seem a little dragged out and we did a lot of retread over things that had been established in the previous four books rather than creating new. It did feel like this book was propped up more by the past than it was standing on its own two feet.

The mystery was good, but also disappointing. I don't pride myself on being a super-sleuth and figuring out mysteries long before they're revealed. The mysteries of the first four books did, well, take me by surprise maybe isn't the right phrase, but they slowly unfolded over the course of the story.

Not so with book five. Here I pretty much figured out all of the Big Reveals as soon as the first clue was dropped. That was disappointing, since half of the fun of these books has been unraveling the mystery. I also always thought the mysteries were clever, and while I do still like these mysteries, the delivery left something to be desired. The connections to Mellie's life also felt forced and unbelievable. How many secrets and ghostly connections can one family have?

And then there was that whole thing with Jack. The whole thing was treated as if it were a growth moment for Mellie, but I don't think she was wrong. I do think Jack was wrong, but it wasn't presented like that. The whole thing made me think less of him, and I really don't want to think less of Jack.

Ok, deep breath. Now that that's all out of the way, on to the good! The book still gets high marks from me because despite all my quibbles, this is still very much a Tradd Street book.

I still adore all the characters, I still love spending time in the old houses, I still love being transported back to Charleston, and I still love the ghostly mysteries. There's also the addition now of Mellie's children and I never thought I'd find fictional babies adorable and wonderful, but Karen White has me (semi) convinced that I want some of my own now.

Bottom line

Yeah, this could have been better. And, yes, it's definitely showing signs of a series that has run its course. But, the ending strongly suggests that we're in for at least one more book, and that's good because despite everything, I'm not ready to let go yet.

Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Guests on South Battery. This is my honest opinion of the book.

The Guests on South Battery is the continuation of the Tradd Street series, with Melanie Trenholm as the main character. A mysterious young woman ends up inheriting a historic house from a stranger and hires Melanie to both sell the house and find her a condo in which to live. Melanie is newly back from maternity leave after having twins nearly 10 months before, as her exacting methods of childrearing have scared away many nannies thus far. When Melanie discovers that the young woman, Jayne Smith, is a professional nanny in need of a job, it seems too good to be true. As some unwanted guests in Jayne's house make things difficult, will Melanie be able to help resolve the issues? Will Melanie let her own personal esteem problems get in the way of her marriage and her job?

When I signed up to read The Guests on South Battery, I was unaware that it was part of a larger series. Although it seems like there is a more detailed background on Melanie and the other residents of Tradd Street in the previous books, I did not feel lost reading this as a standalone. The ghostly aspect of the book was interesting, but the story itself was a bit too familiar. The author took Melanie in an expected direction and I, for one, was disappointed to see her dissolve in a sea of suspicion and self doubt. Having read some of Karen White's standalone books in the past, I did not think that The Guests on South Battery measured up to those previous works. Readers who are new to the series can read this as a standalone, but it would be best to start from the beginning.

received this book from Netgalley in exchange of my honest opionion. I think this book focused too much of Melanie's OCD. I was super excited to read this book as I had read the other one in the series but it was very weak that the others in the series.

I wish I'd come into this series sooner so that I better understood Melanie and Jack's history. There were a few times I felt left in the dark because I hadn't read those earlier books, but it really didn't take away from the overall enjoyment of a good ghost story.

The characters were intriguing, the ghosts malevolent, and the plot interest capturing. The story moved at a fast pace, with the expected twists and turns that keep a reader engaged, but with the author's own spin to take a regular ghost story up a notch. I enjoyed that the story is left with enough threads to pull to entice you for the next installment.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Escape with Women’s Fiction Best Bets for January 2017
Scarlettleigh
Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone else's imagination after a day that's all too real.”
-Nora Ephron
Of course we all know this—we’re readers after all! But nothing makes you appreciate reading more than a great book and in this month releases there are some excellent books. Make contact with someone else’s imagination because these authors shine as storytellers!

I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
A story from debut author Abby Fabiaschi that is “as absorbing as it is illuminating, and as witty as it is heartbreaking.”
Maddy is a devoted stay-at-home wife and mother, host of excellent parties, giver of thoughtful gifts, and bestower of a searingly perceptive piece of advice or two. She is the cornerstone of her family, a true matriarch...until she commits suicide, leaving her husband Brady and teenage daughter Eve heartbroken and reeling, wondering what happened. How could the exuberant, exacting woman they loved disappear so abruptly, seemingly without reason, from their lives? How they can possibly continue without her? As they sift through details of her last days, trying to understand the woman they thought they knew, Brady and Eve are forced to come to terms with unsettling truths.
Maddy, however, isn’t ready to leave her family forever. Watching from beyond, she tries to find the perfect replacement for herself. Along comes Rory: pretty, caring, and spontaneous, with just the right bit of edge...but who also harbors a tragedy of her own. Will the mystery of Maddy ever come to rest? And can her family make peace with their history and begin to heal?
Strengths: Multi-faceted characters; Imaginative concept; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love:  Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read this: What a spectacular debut! Reading the book summary, you might think, oh, I’ve read a ghost/matchmaking book like this before –but I dare say you haven’t! Wonderful emotional intensity, fabulous characters and imaginative storytelling. The mystery of Maddy’s death, the struggle of her family will keep you turning the pages. While the story is poignant, it is never dark.

Traveling Light by Lynne Branard

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
Driving from North Carolina to New Mexico with her three-legged dog, a strange man’s ashes, and a waitress named Blossom riding shotgun isn’t exactly what Alissa Wells ever wanted to be doing. But it’s exactly what she needs...
It all starts when Alissa impulsively puts a bid on an abandoned storage unit, only to become the proud new owner of Roger Hart’s remains. Two weeks later, she jumps in her car and heads west, thinking that returning the ashes of a dead man might be the first step on her way to a new life.
She isn’t wrong.
Especially when Blossom, who just graduated from high school, hitches a ride with her to Texas, and Alissa has to get used to letting someone else take the wheel. Posting about their road trip on Facebook, complete with photos of Roger at every stop, Blossom opens Alissa’s eyes to the road in front of her—and to how sometimes the best things in life are the ones you never see coming…
Strengths:  Engaging Characters; Unique Premise; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love:  Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read This: How many people would decide to travel across country to return a stranger’s ashes? Someone who has gotten in a rut, and is not sure how to get out of it.  The story is a little bit quirky and fun but also authentic in its examination of life, and the decisions that define us. A great road trip!

On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins

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Ainsley O'Leary is so ready to get married—she's even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn't anticipate is being blindsided by a breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her older half sister, Kate, who's struggling with a sudden loss of her own. 
Kate's always been the poised, self-assured sister, but becoming a newlywed—and a widow—in the space of four months overwhelms her. Though the sisters were never close, she starts to confide in Ainsley, especially when she learns her late husband was keeping a secret from her.  
Despite the murky blended-family dynamic that's always separated them, Ainsley's and Kate's heartaches bind their summer together when they come to terms with the inevitable imperfection of relationships and family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.
Strengths:  Wonderful new beginning story; Authentic messy scenarios; HEA  
Measure of Love:  Teaspoon
Mood: Poignant & Humorous
Why You Should Read This: Higgins is a master at writing pathos and humor and this book shines in that regard.  Excellent insights into the emotional rollercoaster of lost and grief.

The Guests on South Battery Street by Karen White

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
With her extended maternity leave at its end, Melanie Trenholm is less than thrilled to leave her new husband and beautiful twins to return to work, especially when she’s awoken by a phone call with no voice on the other end—and the uneasy feeling that the ghostly apparitions that have stayed silent for more than a year are about to invade her life once more.
But her return to the realty office goes better than she could have hoped, with a new client eager to sell the home she recently inherited on South Battery. Most would treasure living in one of the grandest old homes in the famous historic district of Charleston, but Jayne Smith would rather sell hers as soon as possible, guaranteeing Melanie a quick commission.
Despite her stroke of luck, Melanie can’t deny that spirits—both malevolent and benign—have started to show themselves to her again. One is shrouded from sight, but appears whenever Jayne is near. Another arrives when an old cistern is discovered in Melanie’s backyard on Tradd Street.
Melanie knows nothing good can come from unearthing the past. But some secrets refuse to stay buried....
Strengths: Strong interesting characters; Fascinating Setting; Uplifting Ending
Measure of Love:  Dash
Mood:  Atmospheric and Humorous
Why You Should Read This: The “I see dead people” concept, the compelling mystery, the sly humor and the fabulous setting make this one addictive series. Book five is just as enticing as the first with plenty of twist and turns and surprises.

A Night In With Grace Kelly by Lucy Holliday

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
The LOL finale to the series that started with A Night in With Audrey Hepburn. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk.
Fate has got it in for Libby Lomax. She realised, far too late, that her best friend Olly, is the actual Love of Her Life. Now he’s in love with the so-nice-it-hurts, Tash, and it looks like her happy ending is completely out of reach.
Things start looking up when she, quite literally, runs into the completely gorgeous Joel. Libby discovers that there is more to Joel than his six-pack, not least, the incredible fact that he honestly believes he has found his fairy tale princess in her.
And if this wasn’t enough, an unwanted guest shows up on Libby’s enchanted sofa; Grace Kelly, wearing her iconic wedding dress and convinced that Libby is figment of her imagination. But one thing that Grace doesn’t believe in is fairy tales. Grace believes that if you really want something, then you’ve got to make it happen yourself; words which give Libby hope that happy endings aren’t just for fairy tale princesses…
Strengths: Fun and lighthearted; Perfect escapism reading; HEA
Measure of Love:  Teaspoon
Mood: Lighthearted  
Why You Should Read This: Entertaining and satisfying ending to an amusing three book series. Readers and Libby had to wait a bit for her happy ending, but the journey was diverting and charming.

H&H Editor Picks:
First Look: Kristan Higgins’s On Second Thought
Why Romance is the Perfect Place to Tackle Tough Issues
February 2017 Romance New Releases

Author Karen White continues her Tradd Street series with the fifth book, The Guests on South Battery. Readers looking for a mystery and a good old fashioned ghost story will find that in more in this wonderful new book from a gifted storyteller. Melanie Trenholm is back and the apparitions from times past are coming with her. The real estate game will never be the same.

What I liked:

Tradd Street has been one of those places readers often want to return to again and again. One of the major players in the enjoyment of this series has always been the setting. Karen White brings the historic town of Charleston to life on every page. From the historic homes and streets to the customs of southern charm this book oozes attention to detail and some awesome research skills. White never disappoints when it comes to bringing her setting to life, as well as, her characters. The sights and smells of Charleston abound in this one.

Melanie Trenholm is one a heroine with a few quirks. I don't often like characters that are just too perfect. I want my leads to have some flaws. To seem realistic and believable. Well, White took that to heart with this character. Melanie's personality ticks are well known by readers of the series. She has a tendency to ignore problems in hopes they may go away, but in this book she seems to be showing some growth in understanding herself better. Melanie has just had twins a little over a year ago and White uses that to explore issues with self esteem and body image and I found that part of the book very satisfying. It was more than just a mystery or a paranormal tale. It had a bit of substance that I wasn't expecting.

Sometimes an author you've read over and over becomes a bit stale, formulaic if you will. The stories all seem the same just with different names and characters involved. One of the things I like about Karen White is that each of her books has a sense of freshness about it. They remain fun and not as predictable as some. She has a very good rhythm with her writing. It has a beat, a cadence that is hard to miss.

What I didn't like:

I can't really say this is the strongest book in the series for a few reasons. In the beginning of the series we saw a lot more of Melanie's eventual husband, Jack. In this particular book, Jack takes a back seat. Melanie is returning to work and this one focuses more on her. I was a little taken aback by White's use of Jayne as not only a client for Melanie but somewhat of an interest for Jack. I wasn't expecting that and really didn't like it. That's not to say it wasn't a good idea. I just didn't want to see that happen to a couple I have followed throughout an entire series. The ending does redeem itself, but the unexpected middle was hard to forget.

Many of you know that I love good paranormal characters. I read not only mysteries and romances but books about werewolves and vampires and everything in between. But let's face it. The original paranormal characters were all ghosts. It has been done many different ways and with all the bells and whistles, so with these characters I always want some kind of different angle. Often Karen White delivers on that. This time I felt the ghosts got a bum wrap. The parts of the story that involved them did not seem as detailed or planned out as usual. I found them a bit tedious and not as interesting as I had hoped.

Bottom Line:

I love Karen White's writing. Her sense of setting is simply amazing. Charleston comes alive in her writing here and I think readers will really enjoy her descriptions and details about this historic town. As usual I loved Melanie in all her neurotic glory. She's not a princess and she has her quirks. Loved the body image angle with this one, but wished her new nemesis had stayed just a client. Readers who are familiar with this series need to hold on to their hats, things are a changing. The ghosts were just your normal, average spooks in this one but they still kept me turning those pages.

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Karen White invites you to explore the brick-walked streets of Charleston, where historic mansions house the memories of years gone by, and restless spirits refuse to fade away...

With her extended maternity leave at its end, Melanie Trenholm is less than thrilled to leave her new husband and beautiful twins to return to work, especially when she’s awoken by a phone call with no voice on the other end—and the uneasy feeling that the ghostly apparitions that have stayed silent for more than a year are about to invade her life once more.

But her return to the realty office goes better than she could have hoped, with a new client eager to sell the home she recently inherited on South Battery. Most would treasure living in one of the grandest old homes in the famous historic district of Charleston, but Jayne Smith would rather sell hers as soon as possible, guaranteeing Melanie a quick commission.

Despite her stroke of luck, Melanie can’t deny that spirits—both malevolent and benign—have started to show themselves to her again. One is shrouded from sight, but appears whenever Jayne is near. Another arrives when an old cistern is discovered in Melanie’s backyard on Tradd Street.

Melanie knows nothing good can come from unearthing the past. But some secrets refuse to stay buried.... (Goodreads)


Review:

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all the action take place and listening to conversations going on. The descriptions of the older homes, the architecture and the antiques were very detailed and it helped me to visualize everything in my mind. You can tell that the author is very knowledgeable about these things or she did a lot of research. At times I thought she may have described things in a little too much detail, making the book longer than it needed to be. That is only my opinion and others may not agree.

The characters were well rounded and well developed. A lot of them were quirky and I enjoyed reading about them and meeting them. At times I felt like Melanie’s control issues went over the top and was a little much. Again, this is only my opinion and other readers may not agree.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mystery that is set in historic Charleston. And anyone who is a fan of paranormal mysteries. This is the first book that I read in this series and I plan on starting at the beginning of the series and reading the rest of it.

I received free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and the Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book.

White's novels are always excellent, with a mix of chilling supernatural activity, historical details and emotional developments. There was a lot going on in this novel, but it was all handled effortlessly, and the twists the story took kept me turning the pages. This series is a must-read.

The latest in this series centered around Melanie Middleton a realtor who has some hidden talents. She is now juggling being a mom, her job, a wife, home owner - to a testie house and helping others. Although this book wasn't my favorite of the series, I would say it is probably two or three.

This one is high on the list because I love how it incorporates Melanie's family and really centers around her. There were almost two separate mysteries in this one and it was interesting watching Melanie along with her mom solve them both.

As I have said before I love Melanie as a character, I think I see myself in her a lot and reading it is just entertaining! I just want to meet her and become friends with her!

My question after reading this book, is there room for more Melanie Middleton? I could say yes, but not sure how much more.

The Guests on South Battery by Karen White is the fifth book in the Tradd Street series. Melanie Middleton Trenholm is returning to work in Charleston, South Carolina after being away a year on extended maternity leave. Melanie gave birth to twins, J.J. and Sarah. Melanie arrives at Henderson House Reality to find a client waiting in her office. Jayne Smith has inherited the Pinckney house on South Battery and is eager to sell it. Jayne has a dislike of old homes (they make her uncomfortable). Jayne has no clue as to why Button Pinckney left her the house. Melanie has sixth sense that she inherited from her mother’s side of her family. Spirits (or ghosts) have left her alone for the last year, but now they are making a reappearance. Melanie agrees to sell Jayne’s home and gets the bonus of having Jayne as her nanny. Upon entering the Pinckney home, Melanie discovers there are restless spirits in the home. One of them is strong and can shroud its presence from Melanie. Melanie is going to need the help of her mother, Ginette Prioleau Middleton. Between the two of them, they hope to move these spirits on (get them out of the house). Will they be able to settle these restless spirits? Why did Button leave her home to Jayne?

The Guests on South Battery is nicely written. It is a combination of women’s fiction, mystery, and paranormal. While it is part of a series, The Guests on South Battery can be read alone. The author gives the readers the needed information on the characters and happenings from the other novels are mentioned throughout the book. I give The Guests on South Battery 3 out of 5 stars. I was hoping for more of the paranormal element in the book. I did not find it compelling and it was predictable. The mysteries can be solved long before the results are revealed. I had a hard time liking the characters especially Melanie. Melanie has many issues. The main one is her OCD (she should really see a therapist and get some medication). Melanie believes that the twins should be kept on a timetable (she has a spreadsheet), and she has labeled everything in their room (this is just the start). Melanie seems to suffer from “Scarlet O’Hara” syndrome (ignore things or think about them tomorrow). Melanie’s pre-pregnancy clothes do not fit her and she finds the oddest explanations (strange fumes in her closet, the dry cleaner shrunk them). I believe it is supposed to be funny, but it comes across as just odd (like a comedian who tells a joke and does not get laughter). I did not understand Melanie’s attitude towards her gift (she seems to resent it). This seems to be a recurring theme in paranormal novels lately. I found some information repeated frequently throughout the novel (an example is how Jack’s daughter loaned the pair money for the house). I thought there was a little too much going on in the book. I only summarized the main events of this novel. I just felt that the novel needed a little rewriting and editing.

The queen of the South, Karen White returns following Flight Patterns (2016) landing on my Top 50 Books of 2016 list and (2014) Return to Tradd Street (Tradd Street, #4) with the continuation THE GUESTS ON SOUTH BATTERY (#5) with more mystery, history, spirits, a twist of paranormal and dark family secrets.

"There is always a way to look past the bad to see the good."

Set in the Holy City - historic Charleston, SC, we pick up from the last book with Melanie (Middleton) and Jack Trenholm, settling into marriage with a busy lifestyle and twins, Sarah and JJ (Jack, Jr), and Jack’s daughter, Nola, a sophomore at Ashley Hall. Nola is also interested in a boy named Cooper which Jack must warm up to.

They are the owners of a historic home on Tradd Street (an interesting story from previous books), with its quirks and their dogs. The restless dead had left her along for almost a year as Melanie settled into her new life as wife and mother without the distraction of spirits needing her for something.

Jack is a bestselling author (charming, funny, and irresistible) and Melanie, a successful Realtor, is returning to work after her maternity leave. They are coming up on their first year as parents. Melanie is having a hard time finding and keeping a nanny since she likes things a certain way with her routines. This has been the reason she has been delayed getting back to work, much later than she planned.

Melanie’s first day back, feeling a bit insecure, not having lost all the baby weight, she lands a new client, Jayne Smith from Alabama, who has recently inherited a prominent historic home, the Pinckney mansion. Being an orphan, she is not related to the owner and hates old homes and has never been to Charleston.

She wants Melanie to sell it and find her a new one. Something fresh and new with lots of metal, glass, and stone. Ironically, she is a qualified nanny and does not mind Melanie’s attention to order and details. A match made in heaven.

However, Jayne is not so sure she wants to move into Melanie and Jack’s house since it is also old and historic until she decides about her own living arrangements. However, she soon learns it feels like a home and feels comfortable there.

Melanie and her mom (both with psychic gifts) decide they want to try and discover the past of the house, to warn off the spirits for Jayne to possibly decide to hold on to the home since there was a lot of history. After all, it was on South Battery near the corner of Legare, a huge white house with the portico and columns.

Button Pinckney was an acquaintance of Melanie’s and a good friend of both her mother and mother-in-law. They all went to school at Ashley Hall years ago, and her mom had attended the funeral.

Why would Jayne inherit a home from a stranger? Jayne was raised in the foster care system and was never adopted. Melanie liked her and wants to help. If they can warn off and rid the house of spirits, evil, and ghosts- maybe Jayne will decide to keep the house.

Melanie had a flash of déjà vu, since a man Vanderhorst had left her his crumbling old home that she did not want or need either, not so long ago. She knows all too well about an albatross of a house left to an unsuspecting stranger.

We meet up with Dr. Sophie Wallen-Arasi, professor of historic preservation at the College of Charleston, and Melanie’s mom, Ginette, as well as Melanie’s annoying cousin and Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Rebecca—plus her husband, Marc Longo who stole Jack’s book idea, the story of a disappearance and a murder that occurred in the twenties in her house and made it into a runaway bestseller (with Jack being dropped by his publisher as a result).

An ongoing mystery of the Pickney house. Button never married. She had an older brother-Sumter. He married Anna, another classmate and they had a daughter. She died when she was a child. Anna and Sumter divorced shortly afterward and Anna remained in the house with Button. She died about ten years later. Sumter never remarried and moved to New York after his divorce.

Melanie’s parents have recently remarried and have a good relationship. In the meantime, Melanie lets her old insecurities get in the way making her jump to the wrong conclusions. We also meet up with Detective Thomas Riley and he helps Melanie run a background check on Jayne for the nanny job and he seems to like Jayne. Melanie and Ginette are curious why a generous philanthropist decided to give her entire estate to a deserving orphan.

However, Melanie and Ginette get more than they bargained for with ghosts of the past at the old Pickney mansion. From chilling spirits, haunting ghosts, a cat, a disturbing antique doll, a hanging, a past mental illness, warnings to go away, and desperate cries of help— Jayne, Melanie, and Jayne may have more in common than they may know.

Under the mold, falling plaster, spirits of the past, and its sadness, they soon realize there must have been happiness before the tragedy within the walls. It may be worth the chance of a new beginning. Houses are like people. They deserve a second chance at happiness.

Old secrets which have been buried, all come to the surface. A decades-old mystery to be solved with a shocking conclusion.

As always, Karen White is multi-talented, writing southern women’s fiction, mystery, suspense, paranormal, romance, literary, and historical, crossing many genres. Always love her tales of Charleston and the dark family secrets of the South. I especially loved the reference to Wendy Wax (very cool) —another favorite.

Charleston is such a beautiful city with its historic architecture, and always love catching up with familiar landmarks. Well-crafted and engaging. An intriguing twisty mystery with paranormal elements, enjoy catching up with familiar characters. I enjoy Jack and Melanie’s relationship and the dramas of their lives. If you love history, southern fiction, and ghost stories you will enjoy the series.

Having read and enjoyed all the books in the series, highly recommend them all! In addition to the reading copy, also listened to the audio version (nicely done as always), narrated by Aimée Bruneau, with a charming southern accent.

Looking forward to the next! Hoping to hear more about Jayne's mysterious past.  Cannot wait for The Night the Lights Went Out (cover love), Coming April 11, 2017.

A special thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

JDCMustReadBooks

They're back!!! Melanie, Jack, Nola they are all back and I've missed them. Melanie's pregnancy leave is over and it's time to get back to work. It's been pretty calm, the spirits have left her alone and the twins are thriving. Melanie's clothes are a bit tight buy hey it's the cleaner's fault right? On Melanie's first day back she gets a new client named Jayne with a house to sell on South Battery. It's a bit run down and Jayne has inherited if from Button, a woman she has never met. Jayne wants to sell it because she doesn't like old houses. Jayne just also happens to be a nanny which Melanie desperately needs as they all seem to quit on her. Melanie agrees to take Jayne on as a nanny and a client. Melanie visits the house and right away senses spirits but something is up with her gift and something is blocking her. As the story progresses more mysteries start developing and Jack and Ginette join Melanie to find out what is going on and who the spirits might be. It's interesting to see how Melanie grows as a person during this book. The fun is in the tactics that her family goes to help her change without her realizing it. Slowly self-awareness comes. I enjoyed visiting with the characters in this book and the twists and turns the story takes it progresses. I spent most of the day reading it. I didn't want to read it. I was given an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.

If you've followed my blog for very long, you already know Karen White is one of my favorite authors and I can always depend on her books for a great read. The Guests on South Battery is the fifth installment in the Tradd Street series and I loved everything about it!

In The Guests on South Battery, Melanie is just returning to work from maternity leave and on her first day back, she meets a new client Jayne Smith. Jayne recently inherited a historic home on South Battery and wants to sell it as soon as possible. Despite wanting to earn an easy commission, Melanie insists that Jayne visit the home to be sure she knows what she would be giving up. During their visit, Melanie can't help but sense different battling spirits in the house. Add to that, the renovation on Melanie's own home has recently unearthed an old cistern in the backyard, and it would seem the spirits are ready to communicate with Melanie again whether she is ready or not.

I enjoyed all the twists and turns in this latest installment in the Tradd Street series. As always, after reading a Tradd Street book, I am ready to plan a trip to Charleston so I can experience in person the world Karen White makes come to life so vividly from the page. I have often recommended Karen White books to friends and The Guests on South Battery is another one to add to my highly recommend list!

I received The Guests on South Battery courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very entertaining and the author knows how to write a great mystery. With the backdrop in Charleston and surrounding all of the old houses there, the author has crafted another book full of mystery and intrigue, along with some history of the area too.

There's plenty of research that was done for the writing of this book and it's evident that the love of history, antiques, and old homes shines through in this story. The characters are strong, the relationships are tested, and it's just a fun read all around.

There are a few things in this story that made me a little nuts. For one was the issue between Melanie and Jake. It was a pretty big issue but yet once the truth came to light, it was all glazed over. Then the wrap up of story and the ending felt pretty rushed. Another annoyance is that it seems that everyone controls Melanie and she has a little input in her own well being. That was frustrating to me!

These books are very easy to read on their own but obviously reading them in order is a plus. Highly entertaining, easy to read, and easy to get engrossed in, The Guests on South Battery is a winner in my book!

Overall I enjoyed the book. It is set in one of my favorite cities, Charleston, SC. Melanie's insecurities grew tiresome. I honestly can not figure out why Jack would marry her. I think the dynamic between Jack and Melanie was better before they married and had children. The other characters were great.

Love this series! This is probably the best that of all the series on Charleston. Keep them coming!

A charming Charleston setting with the backdrop of old houses with lots of history. I've read the first book in this series and now this one, and while I've missed quite a bit of the back story, the book fills in enough details that I wasn't totally lost (though I wouldn't recommend starting with this book to those looking to pick up the series). What I think was expected to be the primary "twist" in this book was easily spotted, but the story was overall interesting and full of great characters. The "ghostly" elements of this one are the best part of this book. Fans of the series will happily note that there are some unresolved plot points that hint towards more to come.

Melanie & Jack return in this the fifth book in the Tradd Street series. It's funny, witty, mystical, mysterious, charming, historical, and chocked full of surprises and secrets. I could not put it down!

It’s been two years since Karen White last wrote a novel featuring Melanie Middleton, a real estate agent who can speak with the ghosts she finds haunting Charleston’s historic homes. While I liked the story, I don’t think this book is the strongest in the series.

Mellie is happy with her new life as a wife and mother of twins (although finding a good nanny is almost impossible). However, she’s ready to go back to work as a realtor. Mellie’s first new client, Jayne Smith, asks Melanie to help her sell the old house she has mysteriously inherited from a total stranger; keeping the house isn’t an option since old homes make Jayne uncomfortable. Mellie is happy to take on the task of selling Jayne’s house, especially once she finds out that Jayne is a nanny in need of a job. It turns out, of course, that the house is haunted, leading Mellie and her mother to use their psychic skills to lay spirits to rest. And then there’s the mystery of why Jayne inherited the house in the first place . . .

Like all the books in the series, The Guests on South Battery combines women’s fiction with a mystery involving the unquiet dead. Readers who liked the earlier novels are sure to like this one, too. I must admit that I didn’t find the ghost story as compelling this time around, maybe because it’s not as historic in nature and also a bit predicatable. I also didn’t love the twist in the resolution revolving Jayne’s inheritance of the house. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say this—it’s very soap opera.

One thing that I did like about this novel is that Mellie is actively trying to work on her personality quirks, particularly her tendency to ignore problems in the hope that they will go away. It’s very much a work in progress, though, and her family still sometimes tiptoes around self-deceptions until Melanie is ready to acknowledge them. I think readers are supposed to find some of those moments funny, but they generally don’t read that way for me. (The line that landed with a real thud, though, was when Mellie seriously asked “What’s YouTube?” Even if you don’t use it, if you have a computer, you’ve seen YouTube.)

In spite of my criticisms, I still think this book is worth reading, especially if you’ve enjoyed the other novels in the series. It’s got all the elements that interested me in the series in the first place—historical homes in a historical city, ghosts, and romance, too. A couple of other ghostly mysteries were mentioned in the story but remained unresolved at the end, and I’m happily anticipating more books to come.

An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

I know this series has its followers and I admit I enjoyed the first two. This newest one seems to rehash the earlier ones and I find myself becoming exasperated with the main character and wanting to wring her anal retentive neck. I'd rather deal with the ghosts and I think I will stick to this wonderful writer's stand alones.